United States within age restrictions, was akin in habit-forming potential to heroin. * The THC content in a given amount of marijuana directly determines its drug potency. [1] Academic American Encyclopedia [2] The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs; Marijuana: Its Effects On Mind And Body Some of the physical signs and symptoms of marijuana use are: increased heart rate, reddening of the eyes, and mouth and throat dryness. It temporarily impairs short-term memory, alters sense of time, and therefore reduces the ability of its user to perform tasks requiring concentration, swift reactions, and coordination. How users think it makes them feel is an entirely different story. Many feel that their hearing, vision and skin sensitivity are enhanced by marijuana, but to date there have been no conclusive studies to ascertain, nor negate these claims. In addition, euphoria, relaxation, altered sense of body image, and bouts of exaggerated laughter are common. A loss of balance can accompany the marijuana "high." Difficulty in completing thought processes is common - particularly with larger doses of the drug. [1] Of course, the larger the dose, the greater the chance of more adverse symptoms. Because marijuana causes both a sedative and a hallucinogenic effect, loss of insight, delusions and paranoia can result from its use. BENEFICIAL USES: Marijuana and THC are sometimes used, medicinally, to treat glaucoma. They help to reduce pressure within the eye. Synthetic THC, dronabinol, was also approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1985 for treating nausea and vomiting - a problem side-effect which accompanies cancer chemotherapy. It is believed that the dronabinol binds with opium receptors within the medulla of the brain. Cannabis was listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1870 through 1941, as a medication. Over one hundred articles were published in medical journals between 1840 and 1900, recommending cannabis use. [2] [3] [4...
